Jamaica’s tourism sector is experiencing a strong start to the year with record breaking arrival figures and earnings.

In just nine weeks since the beginning of 2019, Jamaica has become the first Caribbean destination to welcome one million visitors during the period, generating foreign exchange earnings of approximately US$800 million.

“Jamaica continues to make an aggressive push in transforming the way we market the destination and we have been seeing the dividends,” said Donovan White, Jamaica director of tourism.

“While the March numbers are still preliminary, we are pleased to have achieved this milestone so early in 2019.

“A big thanks to our various travel partners who have been selling Jamaica and helping us sustain this positive growth.”

The destination started the year on a high copping a number of notable industry awards, including recognition at the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board at the World Travel Awards.

The news follows a strong 2018 for Jamaican tourism, with minister Edmund Bartlett in January revealing the island welcomed a record 4.31 million guests last year.